Andrew Spira’s attempt to move fraud, firearm, drug charges to mental health list knocked back at Darwin Local Court
The 24-year-old great-nephew of Ita Buttrose charged with a string of fraud, firearm and drug offences had his attempt at moving to the mental health court knocked back.
Police & Courts
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The Sydney multi-millionaire charged with a string of fraud, firearm and gun offences has had his bid to be transferred to the mental health court rejected.
Andrew Spira, 24, made an application for his case to be diverted to the mental health list when he was refused bail during his first appearance at the Darwin Local Court on May 24, lawyer Jon Tippett KC then telling the court his client was “a genuinely sick person” who had made “deranged” choices.
At a hearing before Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris on Thursday, Mr Tippett confirmed a preliminary psychological evaluation did not recommend a full assessment be conducted, and the matter was referred back to the general court list.
Spira, who is the great-nephew of ABC Chair Ita Buttrose and head of business loan broker Pineapple Funding, appeared via video-link wearing the standard jail-issue bright orange tee, dark shorts and thongs.
Mr Tippet flagged another attempt at bail would be made.
“There are changes of circumstances and a bail application is being considered,” he said.
“When I talk about changes I mean an address in Darwin and other matters that would allow this court to deal with the application rather than going to the Supreme Court.”
It is alleged Spira travelled to Darwin with his executive assistant Kayla-Leigh Martin, 22, by private jet on May 20, breaking bail conditions he had been placed under in New South Wales.
One of the bail conditions had been a requirement Spira stay at a Bondi mental health clinic for treatment.
The court heard Spira and Martin checked into the Darwin Hilton Hotel and were allegedly making arrangements to illegally leave the country.
Police officers executed a search warrant at their hotel room on May 22, seizing an unlicensed firearm, a traffickable quantity of steroids and a large amount of electronic devices.
The pair was arrested in the hotel lobby later that day.
It is alleged Spira tried to apply for an Australian passport at the Darwin office by falsely claiming his had been stolen, used fake credit card details to attempt to book flights, and falsified documents.
He stands charged with using and possessing false documents, dealing in identification information, possessing or using a firearm while unlicensed, failing to meet storage requirements, possessing a traffickable quantity of schedule two drugs, obtaining financial advantage by deception, making false statements on travel documents, and giving false statements on Australian travel documents.
Martin was granted bail on May 29 and was banned from contacting Spira or leaving the Darwin area.
She was charged with dealing in identification information and obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Spira will return to court on July 3.
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